Chainsaws and airgunning..... really?

[20caljunky]

Hey!

We have some cold temps, at least cold for us in AL, coming up this weekend.

Saturday not too bad with a high of 46 and a low of 27. 

Then Sunday high 35 and low 18 and finally Monday high only 30 with low of 15. 

Great news os all chance of precipitation has been removed from the current forecast. 

So my plan is to allow me to shoot outside in my backyard range from my bench. How? 

I am going to get up early Saturday and harvest a few trees with the trusty chainsaw. I have enough deadfall that I should be able to get a decent sized camp fire going. I will build a fire pit within say 10 feet of my shooting table and move some stones to around the pit area to store and radiate heat. 

I feel that if I and my son get at it early and hit it hard we can gather enough firewood to keep the area warm - or at the least provide a warming spot to stand and keep the cold at bay. 

Am I crazy for wanting to cut down trees so I can shoot outside?

If so call me crazy!

~GOD BLESS~

john

 

[aa_limited]

get heated socks proper boot. wear 2 hats and a hood. I live far north and am never cold. I never need a fire cuz I dress warm. no need to cut trees

 

[20caljunky]

You sir make valid points. I usually wear two apirs of boot socks with a hand awrmer on the tops of my feet. A layered approach a nd plenty f hats. Can also always go inside for warm up sessions. I might just look for any deadfall and have a fire just with that. Then I am clearning the woods of deadfall and able to listen to a cracklin' fire when shootin.....

Thanks!

~GOD BLESS~

john

 

[Mick-VA]

Why not pop up a tent or blind and use a heater inside? Seems better than sitting in wind. I have a tent that's 10x10 and 6.5" high that I heat with a small stove or even a Coleman cooktop. Gets roasty warm inside. even a small electric heater would work.

Although chopping up all that wood will keep you warm too.

 

[John "spysir" Blount]

And a reflective tarp on the far side of your bench. ( it will make a difference )
Sounds like a great day of Family fun to me.

John

 

[20caljunky]

I currently have four poles and a tarp that I use primarly to bolck the sun as it travels across the AM sky - supposed I could wrap the poles with heavy guage plastic and then only have to covewr the front exit area.

I will take pics.

~GOD BLESS~

john

 

[Jadocs]

I think it’s great and your son will always remember what a cool dad you are. 

 

[Crusher]

Especially if you teach him about the fire itself and how to maintain it. I have some really great memories with my son and campfires. He learned to shoot in the woods. He also learned to build the fire, start the fire and maintain the fire. All while shooting and being in the woods. Good stuff for young men.

Crusher

 

[chasdicapua]

I thought I was bad...Cutting a hole in the wall and putting an 18' long 16" diameter pipe out to a box that houses the target, trap and light so that I can extend my indoor range!!! 

It's always fun to hear what folks do to be able to shoot. I'm sure you and your son will have fun doing it. Enjoy!

 

[Rosco860]

Mick-Va, I love the tent idea, I just need to caution you on the Coleman cooktop idea. The gas stove will create a good deal of Carbon Monoxide inside that tent and I would hate for anything bad to happen. Even with the tent flaps open, that Carbon Monoxide will fill the top of that tent and could cause you harm. I had a propane heater going in a partially enclosed space some years ago that caused me to become groggy and sleepy. Thank God I figured out what was happening and I was able to get out before it was too late. I really enjoy your posts and don’t want you to put yourself in the same situation I put myself in. It’s still scary to think about how close I came to passing out. Nowadays I just open my windows and shoot out of the house into woods. It’s warm and I even have a hot cup of coffee close by! Shoot straight, stay warm!

 

[crittahitta]

I have done something similar. But i made mistakes. First, know the direction the wind usually takes so you dont choke to death from the smoke. Second, make sure the fire is not anywhere in front of you because the heat will make distortions in your scope screwing up your vision. Good luck and have fun. I wish my son would shoot with me. He has no interest. Your a lucky man. Happy New Year.

 

[Mick-VA]

"Rosco860"Mick-Va, I love the tent idea, I just need to caution you on the Coleman cooktop idea. The gas stove will create a good deal of Carbon Monoxide inside that tent and I would hate for anything bad to happen. Even with the tent flaps open, that Carbon Monoxide will fill the top of that tent and could cause you harm. I had a propane heater going in a partially enclosed space some years ago that caused me to become groggy and sleepy. Thank God I figured out what was happening and I was able to get out before it was too late. I really enjoy your posts and don’t want you to put yourself in the same situation I put myself in. It’s still scary to think about how close I came to passing out. Nowadays I just open my windows and shoot out of the house into woods. It’s warm and I even have a hot cup of coffee close by! Shoot straight, stay warm!

Yes Sir -thank you, good point on ventilation. I'm a housecat too. I shoot from my breakfast table with the back door open. Hot coffee nearby!

 

[ironlion269]

Harvesting dead falls and clearing out cast off branches is a great idea - in my youth we were taught those were some of the key activities involved in TSI, Timber Stand Improvement. So many of the devastating wildfires out West are magnified by the failure to follow through in this key area of woodland maintenance. Worshiping the Wild instead of rational conservation policies is a road to calamity. @20caljunky, you are dead on the bull with your plans to utilize downed wood. Blessings to you and yours in the New Year!

 

[20caljunky]

Thank you to all who have commented. I shoot off of my bench from two sides, so enclosing the space would cut down on 1/2 of my range access. I looked over the backyard lastnight (in the dark) and have found a good place away from shooting lanes, buildings and the woods themselves to build the fire pit. I plan on getting up shortly after 5 AM tomorrow and strt moving rocks and dead fall. 

My son is all in for the idea. He will be a good source of labor. Then we can enjoy some shooting and have a place to warm up while still staying outside. I'll be sure to take some pics and share here. 

Thanks for the info on the dangers of poor ventilation. Super glad that everyone can benefit from that bit of info. 

Safe weekend to all!

~GOD BLESS~

john

 

[Imold]

Need to get a Mr Heater Buddy Heater and some sort of shelter, I use one in my portable fish house and in my 6ftx8ft deer stand and no issues at all and it keeps me warm to -10*....If your just going to be in the open nothing beats having a nice fire going for warmth. I’m now shooting out of my living room patio door out to my targets but at -6* a person will go to extreme lengths to do something they enjoy doing.